Watch The Miracle Worker

The Miracle Worker is a 1962 biographical drama film directed by Arthur Penn and starring Anne Bancroft, Patty Duke, and Victor Jory. The film is based on the true story of Helen Keller, who was born deaf and blind and was taught by her teacher, Annie Sullivan. The Miracle Worker is a powerful and emotional film that tells the story of Helen's struggles to communicate and connect with the world around her, and Annie's determined efforts to help her overcome these barriers.

The film begins with the arrival of 20-year-old Annie Sullivan (Bancroft) at the home of the Kellers. She has been hired as a teacher for their young daughter, Helen (Duke), who is blind and deaf as a result of an illness when she was just 19 months old. The Kellers are a wealthy family, but they struggle to deal with Helen's condition, as she is prone to violent outbursts and is unable to communicate with anyone around her.

Annie is initially met with resistance from the Kellers, particularly Helen's father, Captain Keller (Jory). He is skeptical of Annie's unconventional methods and wants her to focus on teaching Helen proper table manners, rather than attempting to teach her to communicate. However, Annie is undaunted by the challenge and is determined to help Helen break through her communication barriers.

The majority of the film is spent showing Annie's struggles to communicate with Helen, who is initially resistant to her attempts. Helen has never been disciplined or taught to obey anyone, and she lashes out violently when she feels frustrated or overwhelmed. However, Annie refuses to give up on her student and slowly begins to make progress.

One of the most iconic scenes in the film is when Annie takes Helen to the water pump outside and repeatedly spells "water" into her hand while simultaneously pumping water over Helen's other hand. Suddenly, something clicks for Helen and she realizes that the hand that is being spelled into represents the water that is pouring over her other hand. This breakthrough moment is a turning point for Helen, and she becomes more open to Annie's teachings.

As Annie continues to work with Helen, the two form a strong bond. However, this puts Annie at odds with the Kellers, particularly Captain Keller, who is still resistant to Annie's methods. He is embarrassed by Helen's wild and untamed behavior and worries about what others will think of his family. However, Annie is not willing to compromise her methods and continues to push Helen to be the best she can be.

The film culminates in a dramatic scene where Annie and Helen attend a dinner party. Helen has made significant progress in her communication skills, but her behavior is still somewhat unpredictable. She becomes overwhelmed by the number of people in the room and has a violent outburst, throwing dishes and breaking glass. However, Annie is able to calm her down and get her to communicate what she is feeling. This breakthrough moment is a triumph for both Helen and Annie, and it cements their relationship as one of the most iconic teacher-student partnerships in history.

The Miracle Worker is a powerful, emotional film that showcases exceptional performances from its lead actors. Anne Bancroft delivers a stunning performance as Annie Sullivan, who is determined to help Helen overcome the obstacles in her path. Patty Duke shines as Helen Keller, capturing the character's wild and untamed spirit and her eventual transformation into a disciplined, communicative young woman. Victor Jory is excellent as Captain Keller, the initially skeptical father who comes to appreciate Annie's methods and grows to love his daughter for who she is.

In conclusion, The Miracle Worker is a classic film that tells an inspiring story of perseverance, determination, and the power of human connection. It is a tribute to the amazing achievements of Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, and it remains a timeless and moving film that will continue to inspire audiences for generations to come.

The Miracle Worker is a 1962 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1 and a MetaScore of 83.